Vernon Curling Club will host the Canadian Direct Insurance B.C. Men’s Curling Championship for the third time in six years when it hosts the event in 2015.
The spiel, which will be televised on Sportsnet, is the top men’s curling event in the province, attracting fans from across B.C. The Vernon host committee is looking to attract up to 8,000 spectators during the week-long championship in early February (dates to be confirmed) of 2015.
Mark Longworth, a long-time curling volunteer in Vernon, will chair the event committee and is looking forward to hosting the province’s high-level men’s talent.
“We hosted the event in 2010 and 2011 and it was very successful,” said Longworth. “It provided great entertainment for the fans and was a great event to lead. We feel we have an excellent venue to attract up to 8,000 fans, with great lighting and sight lines. It just seems to be a great fit for Vernon.”
Longworth added the club has a great volunteer base to draw on, as well as a world-class ice-maker in Dave Merklinger, the club’s manager.
Said Curl B.C. CEO Scott Braley: “Curl B.C. is delighted to return to Vernon Curling Club which very successfully hosted these championships back-to-back in 2010 and 2011. Vernon has a great facility with top-quality ice, so it is an ideal venue for the players.”
Chris Pragnell of Canadian Direct Insurance added: “Canadian Direct Insurance is proud to support curling in B.C. and we look forward to returning to Vernon for another great championship.”
The Vernon club has produced some great champions over the years, including Jim Cotter, Tyrel Griffith, Rick Sawatsky, Chris Anderson, Ina Forrest, curling hall-of-famer Sonja Gaudet and Trevor Perepolkin.
The club boasts eight sheets of ice, two large viewing areas and a comfortable 250-seat lounge/banquet hall.
For more information about the Vernon Curling Club or provincials, e-mail Mark Longworth at marklongworth@shaw.ca or the club at vcc@vernoncurlingclub.com, or phone the club at 250-542-6713.
